At the Martial Soul Academy's Inner Court plaza, a fully armed cavalry unit of fifty Black Flame Army soldiers appeared and surrounded the entire square. In its center stood two enormous cages, each draped in black cloth. Low growls sounded faintly from within.
"Could that be the Black Flame Army from the rumors? Why are they at the academy?"
"Holy crap, look at them! Black armor, black spears, black bows, black—"
"Black your head! Is that really what they're like?"
"Then what are they like?"
"Listen up. They're called: 'Black armor conceals the gleam, warhorses tread the night frost; lances split the curtain of darkness, sharp swords sever evil; carved bows shoot into the nether gloom, iron troops shake the land with their might.'"
"Now that's the presence of the continent's number-one army, the Black Flame Army!"
"Holy crap, that's badass!"
"..."
Many students watched from a distance, stunned by the sight. Most of them idolized the Black Flame Army. They were mysterious, dashing, and powerful!
Just then, Murong Huai walked over with Wu Chuan and Ning Fengzhi, heading straight for the Black Flame Army. When the army's commander saw Murong Huai, he quickly dismounted and hurried over to salute him.
"Greetings, Young Marshal!"
After the commander saluted, the other soldiers followed suit.
"Greetings, Young Marshal!"
Murong Huai nodded. "No need for formalities. Are they ready?"
The Black Flame Army commander nodded and pointed to the two cages. "Reporting to the Young Marshal, everything is ready."
As he spoke, he waved his hand. The soldiers beside the cages pulled away the black cloth, revealing what was inside: two enormous Soul Beasts.
One was covered from head to toe in dark bluish-green scales as hard as black iron. Each scale gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen, its edge sharp as a